Using geo-fencing to improve fleet operations

Geo-fencing is a popular tool used as part of a vehicle tracking solution. Geo-fencing allows fleet managers to create predefined virtual barriers on a real world map and when their vehicles exit or enter this barrier, a notification is automatically generated and sent via email or through a mobile app. Geo-fences of any size can be created; whether this be a perimeter around a specific region of the country, or a fence around your headquarters.

Firstly, geo-fencing serves as an ideal tool to ensure the safety of your vehicles. By drawing a line around a depot or headquarters, fleet managers are notified when their vehicles have left the designated area. Should an asset trigger the alert system out-of-hours, fleet managers can instantly begin tracking the vehicle and notify police in order to begin the recovery of stolen assets.

Similarly, this feature can be used for unauthorised or out-of-hours use. If a vehicle has been damaged by a driver without permission or used out-of-hours, insurance premiums can be severely affected. With proof that the vehicle was, in fact, used by unauthorised persons and outside of business hours, the claims process becomes simpler.

Fleet managers are also able to set up alerts around their customer’s location. This enables time on-site reports to be automatically generated, making easier work of invoicing and providing proof of work completed or proof of delivery to customers.

Set up in the correct way, geo-fences can be drawn around your customer’s address in order to provide an improved level of customer service. When the alert is triggered by the driver’s GPS location, your business has the ability to contact the customer directly, informing them that their delivery is due to arrive imminently.

One Trakm8 customer even uses geo-fencing to prevent unexpected invoices for driving in central London’s congestion charge zone. The customer has drawn a virtual line just outside the congestion charge zone but with enough room for manoeuvre should the vehicle need to turn back. If the fleet manager can see that they about to enter the congestion charge zone, they are able to contact the driver and warn them before the business incurs any unnecessary costs.

Accidentally straying into the congestion charge zone results in a bill of £11.50 per vehicle and is extended to £160 if the charge isn’t paid for within a 24-hour window. Priced from just £6.99 per vehicle, per month – Trakm8 Prime could pay for itself many times over for vehicles operating around the capital.